A quarter of a century has passed since the first edition of Western Movies was published, and this new edition updates and expands the initial volume. More than 5,100 feature films are included, with more than 900 newly added. Many of the original entries have been fine-tuned and expanded. The criterion for inclusion is simple: an extant film that is, or has been, available for public viewing in some format. This includes theatrical, television, 16mm, 8mm and Super 8mm film and various video formats, along with prints housed in archives. The initial volume had purchase sources for some titles but with the ever changing video market this has been dispensed with since a check of the internet can usually determine availability.
Each entry includes film title, release company and year, running time; if available in color (otherwise the movie is in black and white); a thorough cast listing, a plot synopsis and a brief critical review.
The following two abbreviations are used in the entries: D for Director and SC for Script.
Only feature films (running nearly four reels or approximately 40 minutes or more) are included in the text; there are no X-rated movies unless an R-rated version has been released. Running times may vary according to source. When films have been edited (mainly for television) they have a shorter running time; the original running times are included in the text. A number of films, especially from Republic Pictures, were edited to 54 minutes for television showings.
Regarding cast listings, sometimes spellings vary and a Screen Names appendix is provided to help sort these out as well as alternate names. Actors’ sons often drop the “Jr.” in the later years of their careers, such cases including Noah Beery, Jr., Lon Chaney, Jr., and Alan Hale, Jr.
The book includes all aspects of the Western film genre, not just shoot-’em-ups, with the bottom line having the plot take place on the frontier. As America developed frontier boundaries extended westward, thus Drums Along the Mohawk is a frontier drama of the 1760s while Stagecoach is part of the post–Civil War frontier of the West. In these pages will be found north woods dramas, south of the border action films, outdoor adventures and foreign titles that either deal with the American frontier or have plots indigenous to the Western.
As noted in the first volume, opinions on movies are purely subjective and should be taken for that and nothing more. What appeals to one viewer may not appeal to another. My reviews of the movies are my own opinion and are no more than suggestions for the reader and hardly the final word. It is my hope the readers of this volume will find it enjoyable as well as useful.
Any additions, corrections or comments regarding this volume are welcome, sent in care of the publisher.
Thanks goes to John Hellstrom and Douglas Deegan for additional title suggestions and the Moving Image Section, Library of Congress (Rosemary Hanes), for reference assistance.